The relationship between psychosocial interventions and child wellbeing in Zambia

Psychosocial factors often contribute to the persistence of poverty, yet they are seldom addressed in poverty reduction programs. A mixed-methods study explored the impact of the Empowered Worldview (EWV) psychosocial behavior change approach on investment decisions in child wellbeing among smallholder farmers in Zambia. Three years after exposure to EWV, logistic regression results showed that it was associated with an increased likelihood of parents providing basic needs for their children, including school fees, clothing, and food. This probability improved with more training sessions. The average treatment effect on the treated was positive and statistically significant. Qualitative findings revealed that EWV boosted participants’ agency, improved cooperation between spouses and within communities, and raised aspirations for both parents and their children. These findings highlight the importance of addressing psychosocial constraints and suggest that interventions targeting these factors can contribute to sustainable human development.